Q231. The Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act, which legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows, was enacted in which year and largely due to the efforts of which reformer?
Modern Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
488 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on modern Indian history are on this page, in 12 chapters. They cover British expansion and early resistance, the Anglo-Sikh wars, the Revolt of 1857, colonial policies, reform movements, the rise of nationalism, the Gandhian era, revolutionary movements and Partition, and nation-building up to 2000. Each question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 231–240 of 488 questions
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Q232. Which of the following is the most appropriate description of the role played by D.K. Karve in the field of women’s reform?
Explanation
D. K. Karve worked for women’s education and founded the first Indian Women’s University in 1916.
Q233. Consider the following statements regarding women’s reform movements in the 19th and early 20th centuries:
I. Pandita Ramabai established the Arya Mahila Samaj to promote women’s education.
II. The Child Marriage Restraint Act (Sarda Act) was passed in 1929 fixing the marriage age.
III. Veeresalingam Pantulu worked extensively for widow remarriage in the Madras Presidency.
IV. Women’s organizations like the All India Women’s Conference were completely detached from the national independence movement.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. Pandita Ramabai established the Arya Mahila Samaj to promote women’s education.
II. The Child Marriage Restraint Act (Sarda Act) was passed in 1929 fixing the marriage age.
III. Veeresalingam Pantulu worked extensively for widow remarriage in the Madras Presidency.
IV. Women’s organizations like the All India Women’s Conference were completely detached from the national independence movement.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Pandita Ramabai set up the Arya Mahila Samaj, the Sarda Act of 1929 fixed the marriage age and Veeresalingam worked for widow remarriage. Women’s groups like the AIWC were not detached from the freedom movement, so IV is incorrect.
Q234. All of the following were legislative measures associated with women’s reform in British India EXCEPT:
Explanation
The Native Marriage Act of 1872, the Age of Consent Act of 1891 and the Sarda Act of 1929 were laws on women’s reform. The Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936 was about caste, so it is the exception.
Q235. Find the odd one out among the following reformers based on their primary region of activity:
Explanation
Vidyasagar, Ram Mohan Roy and Debendranath Tagore worked in Bengal. Veeresalingam worked in the Madras Presidency (Andhra), so he is the odd one out.
Q236. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the split in the Arya Samaj in 1893.
Explanation
The split in the Arya Samaj involved the College Party, which supported a curriculum combining Western education with Vedic values, and the Gurukul Party, which insisted on a purely traditional Vedic education. Therefore, it was the College Party, led by figures like Lala Hansraj, that advocated for English education. The Gurukul Party, under Swami Shraddhanand, focused on ancient learning.
Q237. Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, which introduced Hinduism as a major world religion, took place in which year?
Explanation
Swami Vivekananda’s historic participation in the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago took place in 1893. His opening address, which began with the famous greeting "Sisters and Brothers of America," earned him instant acclaim. This event was pivotal in establishing Hinduism as a significant world religion and introducing Indian spiritual and philosophical traditions to the Western world on a stage.
Q238. Match List-I (Theosophical Society Leader) with List-II (Specific Activity/Contribution) and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Codes:
| Leader | Contribution |
|---|---|
| A. H.P. Blavatsky | i. Initiated the Home Rule League in India |
| B. H.S. Olcott | ii. Co-founded the Society in New York in 1875 |
| C. Annie Besant | iii. Shifted the headquarters to Adyar, Madras |
| D. Allan Octavian Hume | iv. Supported the Society but primarily known for founding the INC |
Explanation
Madame Blavatsky co-founded the Theosophical Society in New York, while Colonel Olcott was instrumental in moving the headquarters to Adyar. Annie Besant is best known for her leadership in the Indian Home Rule League. A.O. Hume, while interested in theosophy, is primarily recognized for his role in the founding of the Indian National Congress as a political platform.
Q239. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan launched a journal to propagate modern ideas and scientific reasoning among Muslims. Which of the following was NOT associated with his reformist publications?
Explanation
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan published Tahdhib-ul- Akhlaq to modernize Muslim social thoughts and wrote commentaries to bridge the gap between Islamic and Christian scriptures. He also authored ‘The Loyal Muhammadans of India’. Al- Hilal, however, was an Urdu newspaper started by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the early 20th century to criticize British policies and promote the cause of nationalism.
Q240. Consider the following statements regarding the founders of the Deoband Movement:
I. It was founded by Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi.
II. It was founded in the year 1866 in the Saharanpur district.
III. It aimed to support Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s MAO College initiatives.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. It was founded by Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi.
II. It was founded in the year 1866 in the Saharanpur district.
III. It aimed to support Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s MAO College initiatives.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Deoband Movement was founded by Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi in 1866. Its objective was strictly revivalist, aiming to preserve traditional Islamic education and values. It was actually ideologically opposed to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s Aligarh Movement, as it rejected Western influences and the pro-British stance associated with the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College and its modernist educational initiatives.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 231 | (c) 1856, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar |
| 232 | (b) He founded the first Indian Women’s University and focused extensively on female education. |
| 233 | (a) IV only |
| 234 | (a) The Temple Entry Proclamation (1936) |
| 235 | (c) Kandukuri Veeresalingam |
| 236 | (a) The Gurukul Party advocated for Western English education combined with Vedic values. |
| 237 | (b) 1893 |
| 238 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-i, D-iv |
| 239 | (c) Al-Hilal |
| 240 | (b) III only |
Key facts from Modern Indian History
- The RPSC syllabus covers the period from the early 19th century to 2000: British imperialism, the Revolt of 1857, colonial policies, reform movements, nationalism, the freedom struggle, Partition and nation-building.
- Questions on colonial rule often turn on a single Act or reform and its year, such as the Government of India Act 1858 or the Indian Councils Act 1861.
- Freedom-struggle questions pair a movement with its leader, place and date, for example Champaran in 1917 and the Dandi March in 1930.
- Statement and chronology questions are common in the freedom struggle chapters, so learn events in order.
- The post-independence chapters cover state reorganisation, planning, bank nationalisation and the growth of science and technology.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Modern Indian History?
This page has 488 practice MCQs on Modern Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the modern Indian history set cover?
Twelve chapters: British imperialism and early resistance, Anglo-Sikh wars and the Doctrine of Lapse, the Revolt of 1857, political and administrative policies, economic policies, socio-religious reform movements, early nationalism, the Gandhian era, revolutionary and regional movements and Partition, state reorganisation, planning and reforms, and science and technology.
Which period does RAS Prelims modern history cover?
RPSC lists the modern period from the early 19th century to 2000, including British imperialism and resistance, the Revolt of 1857, British policies, nationalism, the freedom struggle, Partition and post-independence nation-building.
How should I prepare modern history for RAS Prelims?
Build a timeline of Acts, movements and leaders first. Then attempt each chapter, read the explanation for every miss and note the leader, place and year. Chronology questions are common, so revise the order of events a few times.